Getting Crafty - Burp Cloths

I recently made a scrapbook page and framed it for a sorority sister and great friend who had just had her third child.  I think it turned out pretty cute and all she has to do is add her pictures and hang it on her new little boy's wall.  Here's my finished product:

Once I finished this page, I started looking around for something else I could make for Drew.  I had just bought some fabric scraps at Hobby Lobby that would be perfect for burp cloths; however, I had never made burp cloths before.  I started my search for a good tutorial and stumbled upon this blog with lots of great homemade projects.  Making these literally took less than 30 minutes from start to finish.  Easy peasy.

First, I printed out my template, cut it out and pieced it together.  Then I pinned it to my material.  

Then I cut out my pieces, including quilt batting.

I then pinned it all together - wrong sides facing and quilt batting in the middle.  This is one time you won't actually sew it wrong side out and flip it when you're done.  You'll see why in a bit.

Then sew around the edges allowing a little extra on the ends.  Once it's sewn together, cut the extra quilt batting as close to sewn edges as possible.  You're also going to sew a straight line straight down the middle to keep the quilt batting from slipping.

Once everything is sewn, cut slits around the edges to create fringe.  

Once you wash it, it will look something like this.  The fringe will fray out and be oh so cute.  

The finished product.

My baby projects are complete and on their way to Kentucky.  Hope you enjoyed it!

Getting Crafty - Drawstring Backpack

I've been whining a bit lately about not being able to find time to sit down with my sewing machine.  Sunday, I finally found a bit of time while the kids played nicely with one another nearby.  I had an idea in my head that I wanted to try after seeing all these crafters crank out these cute little drawstring backpacks.  My kids love backpacks so I thought I'd try my novice hand at them.  How hard could it really be?  Turns out, it really wasn't all that difficult.  

I used scrap material just in case I screwed up entirely my first go and the pieces weren't really wide enough for the front and back of the backpack so I came up with the idea to make it like a quilting square and use two different pieces of material.  First, I cut my pieces into 5.5 x 7" squares - 4 pieces each.  I wanted something small for my 18 month old daughter to carry around.  But the size can be adjusted.

I then pinned the pieces and started sewing, wrong side of material up.

You should end up with 2 pieces that look like this (if you are doing the 2 different pieces of materials).

I then hemmed the edges - the bottom and sides only (not the top).  After those edges were hemmed I folded the top down about 2 inches and hemmed the edge leaving enough room to thread your string, cord, ribbon, whatever you're using through.  

I then sewed the bottom halves together and the sides - only up to your top edge still leaving the 2 inches from the top.  

I then set an eyelet on the bottom of each side.  I had an eyelet setter for scrapbooking but you could use a grommet setter if you have one instead.

Start threading your cord through.  I started by laying the backpack with the front facing me and threading the cord the bottom left corner leaving about 8 inches.  Then I took the other end of the cord and threaded it through the top on the backside, through the bottom right, through the top right  and then tying the two ends together and hiding the knot in the top hem.  

And here's Miss Presley's new drawstring backpack!

Again, the measurements can be adjusted.  I just wanted something small that fit my little princess.  She loves it!  Now Keegan wants one so I'll be making another for him.  Good times!

Make some time to get crafty this week!  Linking up today with:

First Sewing Project - Quilted Coasters

Okay, so sewing machines are proving to be a little bit of a pain for me.  Big Bertha died on me and I got Singer Sally.  Sally proved to be a little testy.  After using her for about 20 minutes or so, she began jamming up constantly and no matter what I did to fix the jam it just kept happening.  Thank goodness for friends that use sewing machines regularly.  Consensus was that Sally was already in need of adjustment.  So Sally went back in the box and back to the store.  I was conflicted.  Should I buy another Singer Sally or should I try something else?  I made my purchase.  And may have upgraded.  A little.  ;)  Home came Brother Barney - a completely computerized sewing machine with over 100 stitch options, quilting options and small scale embroidery.  I'm in love!  While I was afraid it would be way over my head in the beginning, Barney proved to be more user friendly than Singer Sally, in my opinion.   The manuals and DVD proved to be way more detailed and helpful setting it up.    Loading the bobbin was as simple as dropping it in.  That was it!  I'm terribly impressed with Barney thus far.  

    

                            

Now that I've properly introduced you to my new toy, here's my first sewing project.  Ever.  I saw this project on one of my favorite blogs, a pretty cool life.  The author, Cheryl, is constantly showing off her latest project (usually involving a sewing machine) and I have been dying to try some of her tutorials.  This one was easy peasy and perfect to start out with.  You can find the tutorial here.  Of course, hers are way cuter than mine but she's been doing this a lot longer than me.  Away we go!

I simply chose to buy some scrap fabric to start with since I really had no idea how this little project would turn out.  I measured it out and cut my squares.  

Then I did the same with quilt batting.  I didn't use the fusible kind simply because I couldn't find it.  I just pinned it down.  

Okay, off we go!  I admit to being nervous, this being my first time and all.  But really there was nothing to it.  It was quite thrilling in some way.

So far, so good...

Ah, I made it all the way through this little project and Barney hung in there the whole way through.

My finished quilted coaster.  Not too bad for my first first time around a sewing machine, eh?!

Works well, I'd say.  And some free advertisement for my husband's company.  ;)

Hope this inspires you to learn a little something new.  I can't wait to share my next sewing project.  Stay tuned!

RIP, Big Bertha

With a heavy heart, I am sad to inform you all that Big Bertha has been laid to rest.  At least for now.  Big Bertha was my old vintage sewing machine that my mother-in-law passed down to me.  My husband took it apart, pulled out all the dust, oiled the gears and was very excited to only find one worn part in the entire machine.  However, that one worn part proved to be a big problem.  We haven't completely given up on trying to find that part or a manual for Big Bertha but the truth is that we're having some trouble finding any information about her at all.  So for now she is out of commission.  *tear*

But now I'd like to introduce you to Sally, my new Singer 2236 sewing machine!  Ain't she a beauty?  All white, sleek and shiny....

This is the part I really like.  "SIMPLE".  She is beginner friendly.

She has 23 built-in stitches and an automatic threader.

I also LOVE that it comes with an instruction manual as well as a quickstart DVD.

And accessories.  A girl always loves her accessories...

I've got big plans for this new addition to my craft family.  I hope to share some of my projects real soon. 


On another note, you may have noticed a new link on the left sidebar to my new blog hop.  Come back tomorrow for all the details!


Happy Monday to you all.  Be crafty!

Keeping It In The Family

First, I want to extend a warm welcome to my new followers. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here. Also, welcome to any visitors stopping by today from a belle, a bean & a chicago dog. I'll try to make things as interesting as possible for you in hopes you'll decide to click that precious "follow" button. (wink, wink) Feel free to click around and stay a while. I've added lots of new things recently. If you like what you see and want to show some love, grab a button! Are family pictures and crazy kid stories more your style? Then go check out my family blog. Now, on to today's agenda....

I mentioned in past posts that I've started quilting. Quilting has been in my family for generations and I'm ashamed to say that I never picked up on the craft. I'm afraid when my great-grandmother leaves this world, the craft will die out in our family entirely. I'm hoping to pick up the reigns. My great-grandmother found a quilt recently that my grandmother (who passed away in August) was working on and she gave me a quick tutorial on how to finish it the last time I was back home in Kentucky. This is that quilt:

These next few pictures you'll see my grandmother's handy work; her perfect stitches.

And now my imperfect stitches.

My great-grandmother (96 years young, by the way) carefully pinned the edges to show me how to finish the quilt in it's entirety.

I wasn't sure how I'd like taking on the task of finishing the quilt. After all, I have several other irons in the fire - scrapbooking, photography, cooking, blogging, not to mention raising three two kids (husband wouldn't want to be included in that number - loving you!). And I've never done it before. I was afraid (hello, insecurity) I wouldn't do a good job. After all, the previous women who've worked on it have been doing it for years. However, I have quite enjoyed quilting. I find myself picking it up while we catch up on some recorded TV each night and I've accomplished quite a bit. I've said this before, but there is something extremely satisfying about making something by hand.

I love that my great-grandmother, my grandmother and now I have all worked on this quilt together. When it's finished, it shall become my daughter's first quilt. Now that's keeping it in the family.

Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back and see what's in store for tomorrow!

Love At First Site!

I stumbled upon this blog purely by accident. And I'm IN LOVE! The site is a pretty cool life. and the author of the blog is a very crafty woman named Cheryl. She has tons of tutorials on her blog - easy tutorials for amateurs. And this is not another talented friend of mine I'm giving a shout out to. This woman has no idea that I'm posting about her blog. In fact, she has no idea I exist. But this blog is truly inspirational if you ever wanted to crank out a few easy sewing projects. It really makes me want to break out the ancient sewing machine my mother-in-law passed down to me. Uh huh. Ancient. I'm not even sure if it works. But I think I shall find out. That's right. Now I'm taking on a sewing project. I can do it all. I'm superwoman.

But seriously, you should check this blog out and get inspired to get crafty!

Feature Friday

First thing's first.... TGIF!!!

Now, down to my Friday business. I want to introduce you to a new crafty momma. Her name is Jessica and she just happens to be my cousin. A little about Jessica...... She is a mom of a sweet little girl, Anna and is currently expecting a little boy in the very near future. She's a very talented music teacher and in her spare time she enjoys crocheting. Jessica recently started her own little side business in her craft, sweet whatKnots. While an Etsy shop may be in her future, she is currently getting started with a blog which you can visit here. If you love handmade, you must visit her blog and check out her creations. You'll find some of the cutest little hats ever! I'm currently anticipating the arrival of my kids' new hats myself. She also makes baby blankets as well as sweaters for your little four legged kids. These all make great gifts as well, especially baby gifts. What better way to gift than handmade? Her blog is currently under construction so be patient - she'll have lots more information and sweet whatKnots to share very soon. In the meantime, you can click the "contact me" button on her blog to receive more information about her products.

Show Jessica some love and stop by her blog for a visit. Give a little encouragement and let her know you stopped by - leave a comment for her.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Oh, To be Organized....

I admit that I'm a bit of an anal retentive person when it comes to my house and my space. I'm constantly rearranging the kids' rooms to accommodate for toys as well as space. My scrapbooking area (or our office) is a room that seems to be a constant thorn in my side. I hate walking into a room and feeling overcrowded and right now, our office is just that. We have somehow managed to shove 2 desks (one for the hubs and one for myself), a little art table for the kids, and art easel (for the kids), 2 book shelves filled from top to bottom and 2 bean bags for the kids to sit and enjoy a movie while I scrapbook or the hubs and I just browse online. I feel claustrophobic just typing all that. And here I sit in the middle of my chaos.

I'm always on the search for a better way to organize my scrapbooking materials or to organize the kids' art supplies. I ran across this blog a while back that I have thoroughly enjoyed following these last few weeks. The blog is Crafty Storage and you can visit them here. Crafty Storage is a team of women that are always on the lookout for new storage ideas as well as accepting readers photos of their own spaces. That's what I really enjoy - seeing other readers' spaces. Some of them are truly amazing and I dream of having a room of my own that is completely organized just for me. Here are a few rooms that have caught my attention.


This is Robyn's Pink Loft and you can see more pictures of it here.

This is Kerry's craft room and you can see more pictures of her space here.

This is Bendichte's studio and you can see more pictures of it here.